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Celina Gilmore

4,295

Bold Points

21x

Nominee

2x

Finalist

1x

Winner

Bio

I am a latina, first-generation graduate student and educator who believes in encouraging all underrepresented communities to continue believing in the pursuit of the sciences. I supported myself throughout college working simultaneously as a medical scribe, research coordinator, and science instructor. In addition, I was completing a full-time research commitment, of which initiated a drive and passion for anatomy and vertebrate evolution. That is why I became a science instructor in the STEP program, where I was once a student. This is about creating an environment that is more inviting towards underrepresented minorities, women, and socioeconomically underprivileged students. I hold an NSF funded REU internship (under DEB 1257572) at the Jacobs School of Medicine and the American Museum of Natural History, where I studied the functional morphology of Parahyaena brunnea (Hyaenidae, Carnivora) in the summer of 2017. In addition to my extensive research and teaching experience, I am a former NCAA Women's Basketball athlete at Houghton College. I hold a BS in Biological Sciences from SUNY University at Buffalo. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I worked as a medical scribe in Urgent Care for a limited time before pursuing my Ph.D. In August 2020 I began my Ph.D. program in Integrative Biology at the University of California, Berkeley. Starting graduate school during the pandemic has resulted in tremendous financial hardships, including taking out upwards of $50,000 of student loans.

Education

University of California-Berkeley

Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)
2020 - 2025
  • Majors:
    • Biology, General
    • Biological and Physical Sciences
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
  • GPA:
    3.7

Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences

Master's degree program
2019 - 2020
  • Majors:
    • Anatomical Sciences
  • GPA:
    4

University at Buffalo

Bachelor's degree program
2015 - 2019
  • Majors:
    • Biology/Biological Sciences, General

Houghton College

Bachelor's degree program
2015 - 2017

University at Buffalo

Bachelor's degree program
2015 - 2019
  • Majors:
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
  • GPA:
    2.7

Immaculata Academy

High School
2011 - 2015

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Doctoral degree program (PhD, MD, JD, etc.)

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Biological/Biosystems Engineering
    • Biological and Biomedical Sciences, Other
    • Mechanical Engineering
    • Veterinary Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
    • Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations
    • Biotechnology
    • Biology/Biotechnology Technologies/Technicians
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Education

    • Dream career goals:

      Scientist, Researcher, Professor, Non-profit Leader

    • Sports Medicine

      University of California Berkeley
      2022 – 2022
    • Sports Medicine

      University of California Berkeley
      2021 – 2021
    • Bioinspired Design Graduate Student Instructor

      University of California Berkeley
      2022 – 2022
    • Human Physiology Graduate Student Instructor

      University of California Berkeley
      2021 – 2021
    • Anatomical Laboratory Graduate Student Instructor

      University of California Berkeley
      2021 – 20221 year
    • Anatomical Laboratory Graduate Student Instructor

      University of California Berkeley
      2020 – 20211 year
    • Medical Scribe

      Well Now Urgent Care
      2019 – 20201 year
    • Key-Holder

      BFLO Gallery and Gift Shop
      2017 – 20192 years
    • Science Instructor

      Jacobs Schoo of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Science and Technology Program (STEP)
      2017 – Present7 years
    • Summer Research Coordinator

      Jacobs Schoo of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences Biomedical Science and Technology Program (STEP)
      2018 – 20191 year

    Finances

    Loans

    • Sallie Mae

      Borrowed: January 1, 2015
      • 100,000

        Principal borrowed
      • 100,000

        Principal remaining

      Sports

      Jogging

      2015 – Present9 years

      Aerobics

      Club
      2012 – Present12 years

      Dancing

      Club
      2002 – 20108 years

      Track & Field

      Varsity
      2010 – 20144 years

      Soccer

      Varsity
      2011 – 20154 years

      Basketball

      Varsity
      2005 – 201914 years

      Awards

      • 2013 Girls MVP- Daemen College Basketball Camp

      Basketball

      Varsity
      2015 – 20172 years

      Research

      • Integrative and Evolutionary Biology

        FAVE Lab — Research Assistant
        2018 – 2019
      • Biological Sciences

        FAVE Lab — Research Scientist
        2019 – 2019
      • Integrative and Evolutionary Biology

        FAVE Lab — Research Scientist
        2020 – Present

      Arts

      • Look Model Agency

        Performance Art
        2022 – Present
      • Personal Buisness

        Calligraphy
        2018 – Present

      Public services

      • Volunteering

        ACCESS Paleo — Volunteer Instructor
        2021 – Present
      • Volunteering

        BASIS-Bay Area Scientists in Schools — Science & Engineering — Outreach—Volunteer Instructor
        2021 – Present
      • Advocacy

        Biomedical STEP Program-University at Buffalo — Science Instructor
        2017 – Present
      • Volunteering

        National Biomechanics Day — Co-Chair
        2020 – Present
      • Advocacy

        Biomedical STEP Program — Research Coordinator
        2018 – 2019

      Future Interests

      Advocacy

      Volunteering

      Philanthropy

      Entrepreneurship

      Minority Women in STEM Bi-Annual Scholarship
      I stared back at the outstretched neck of the hyena in the glass enclosure. The animals in the dioramas of the Buffalo Museum of Science were posed as if the intent was to feel like for a moment in time you were a part of the cackle of hyenas roaming the savannas. It left a lasting impression on me, along with a strong appreciation for the unique characteristics that provide the hyena its opportunity to hunt and survive. This appreciation developed into a potential career interest when I began to learn anatomy, and discover how form and function can share particularly strong and complex relationships. My desire to more deeply explore biology remained unfulfilled after the experiences at the Buffalo Museum until I had the opportunity to participate in the Biomedical Science and Technology Entry Program (STEP) at the University at Buffalo (UB) for high school students of underrepresented backgrounds. STEP connected my high school curriculum to a broader aspect of medicine and biomedicine at the UB Jacobs School of Medicine. I desired to pursue a degree in Biological sciences. I became the first person in my family to attend a college and participate as an NCAA Women's Basketball athlete at Houghton College (a PUI by NSF definition). Throughout my first two years as a student-athlete, my passion has only burned brighter as I took courses in Biology, Chemistry and Genetics. I became a Teaching Assistant and engaged students in the Biology lab to facilitate their learning. I completed an NSF funded REU internship (under DEB 1257572) at the Jacobs School of Medicine and the American Museum of Natural History where I studied the functional morphology of Parahyaena brunnea (Hyaenidae, Carnivora). This experience ignited my passion for researching functional morphological adaptations and their contribution to mammalian and vertebrate evolution. As the first member of my family to graduate college, I was also the first to be enrolled in a higher education program. I began Fall 2019 as a student of the Masters of Science in the Anatomical Sciences program at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences researching within the Tseng Lab. Upon entering the Fall 2019 semester I received an invitation by my PI to transfer with his laboratory to the Department of Integrative Biology at UC Berkeley at the start of 2020. I plan on building on the broad knowledge of evolutionary morphometrics and functional anatomy. The fundamental rules of life, biodiversity, and complexity, as well as the beauty of biology, are pillars upon which I have developed my inquisition of the sciences. From peering into the glass enclosure of hyenas at a museum to studying their masticatory behavior and now piloting my own project in graduate school has been an incredible journey. At the heart of my interest to pursue research was a metamorphosis of the 8-year-old observer that has now transformed into a scientific explorer of biomechanics and mammalian evolution. At UB, I expanded my role not only as a researcher but also as an educator. I do not need my daily coffee on Saturday mornings. Instead, opening the classroom door to 7th-12th graders at the Biomedical STEP Program brings me the jolt I need. I was recruited to serve as a Science Instructor for the STEP program where I was once a student. I have found a love for becoming an educator and hope to apply these skills towards becoming a professor one day. Navigating the role as an educator has taught me to explain complex concepts in different ways. In addition, I served as a Summer Research Coordinator for the STEP program where I coordinated with five hospitals within Buffalo to partner with our program and provide students an opportunity to shadow and complete research internships. This role was humbling because I was able to connect students with physicians, nurses, PhDs, physical therapists, dental students, and researchers; an experience that gave students an opportunity to see themselves as a researcher. I also mentored students through the presentation of their research projects and facilitated the way they communicate their findings. Communication in science is an integral part of the research for its ability to transcend not only within the scientific community but for all members of our society. Beyond acting as a role model in my graduate career, I would like to engage students by becoming a professor. At the heart of biology is a life that is ever so changing and transformative. My journey to research has been transformative as well. As a Hispanic, first-generation undergraduate and graduate student I want to encourage all underrepresented communities to continue believing in the pursuit of the sciences. Thus, over the last few years, I have become determined to create an environment that is more inviting towards underrepresented minorities, women, and socioeconomically underprivileged students which I will expand as a Professor. Determination, discipline and a creative approach to push boundaries to develop new ideas will ignite the future of biology. I plan on engaging students to go think boldly and challenge themselves to not only make discoveries within the sciences but delve into their true potential. I plan on bringing this paradigm to UC Berkeley in 2020 to provide outreach for those women, socioeconomically underprivileged and underrepresented backgrounds. In doing so I want to promote a determined work environment while providing an opportunity for all within STEM. My experiences have strengthened my inquiry into the potential and limits of anatomy and raised a question to discover the rules of life and the pursuit of knowledge. I am forever grateful for all that believed in and inspired me throughout my journey. I intend on leading by example by providing others with the same opportunities from Buffalo to the Bay Area. I know there are others admiring the complexity and beauty of biology through the glass of a museum exhibit. They too deserve the opportunity to explore beyond the glass enclosure.